China - US on the brink of trade war; Russia - West diplomacy remains "hot"

1. Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West

The US and the West expel Russian diplomats. Illustration photo: Getty image.

Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West show no signs of easing. In response to the US expelling 60 Russian diplomats. Moscow also expelled 60 US diplomats. The US said it would impose additional sanctions on Russia. The embargo mainly targets the economic sector. At the UN Security Council meeting, Russia's UN Ambassador condemned the UK's accusations. Russia warned that the UK was playing with fire and would have to apologize for the accusations surrounding the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal.

2. Positive signals on the Korean peninsula

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets South Korean artists performing in Pyongyang. Source: KCNA

The inter-Korean situation has shown positive signs when the South Korean art troupe had two successful performances in Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife personally attended the concert. This is the first time in 13 years that Pyongyang audiences have seen a performance by South Korean artists.

Mr. Kim Jong-un said that there should be more joint art performances between the two countries and suggested a grand music festival this fall, held in Seoul.

3. China - US on the brink of trade war

The US-China trade war has begun as both sides "tit for tat"

The Trump administration has released a list of nearly 1,300 Chinese products that could see their import tariffs increased to 25%. China has immediately responded with plans to impose tariffs worth $50 billion on 106 US products.

President Donald Trump's statements have sent financial markets into turmoil.

4.Shooting at YouTube's "headquarters"

Employees leave YouTube headquarters, hands raised, lining up for a search after the shooting by female suspect Nasim Najafi Aghdam (inset). Photo: CNN

At least three people were injured after a woman opened fire inside YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California (USA) on the afternoon of April 3 local time.

The woman believed to be the suspect was found dead inside the building, San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said. The suspect then appeared to have shot herself, according to Fox News.

According to RT, police found a total of four victims, with gunshot wounds, two inside the building and two in the nearby area.

5.Israel-Palestine Conflict: The Crisis Has Begun

Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers are a dangerous sign for the Middle East. Getty Images

The violence began with a Palestinian march on March 30, the start of a six-week protest that will last until the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14. US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 was met with strong opposition from Palestinians who see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, took to six different areas of the eastern Gaza Strip, bordering Israel, over the weekend to join a peaceful march to send a message to the world that Palestinians have legitimate rights, including the right to return home. The first day of the protest marked Palestinian “Land Day,” when the Israeli government announced the confiscation of land in the Galilee and Negev in 1976, leading to large-scale Palestinian protests in Israel.